A joint press release from Scene and DCA was issued this morning and is included in its entirety below.
CLEVELAND, OHIO – Cleveland Scene and the Downtown Cleveland Alliance have settled the lawsuit filed by Scene’s parent company Euclid Media Group last month alleging that DCA violated Scene’s constitutional rights when earlier this year it removed 26 Scene distribution boxes from downtown Cleveland’s central business district without notifying Scene. Euclid Media Group agreed to withdraw its lawsuit under the terms of a confidential settlement agreement with a public apology from DCA.
“DCA apologizes for the mistake our team made in removing some of Scene’s newspaper boxes from various locations downtown,” said DCA President and CEO Joseph A. Marinucci. “While well-intentioned staff members believed they were acting properly, the failure to communicate about the missing boxes was unacceptable. We will ensure we maintain solid lines of communication in all such situations going forward. DCA understands the importance of a free press, and regrets even the appearance that we violated Cleveland Scene’s First Amendment Rights.”
“We appreciate DCA’s apology reflecting the importance of both the First Amendment and Scene’s journalism to the downtown Cleveland community,” said Euclid Media Group CEO Andrew Zelman. “The matter has resolved to our satisfaction.”
This article appears in May 10-16, 2017.
I’m concerned about the distribution of Scene boxes and race here in Cleveland. Can you provide a detailed map of the Scene locations according to race?
You are not funny anymore. Actually, you never were. You are nothing but an unfunny troll and you have been reported. And you will keep on being reported for this unnecessary bullshit.
Chuckles the Clown
DCA absolutely violated Scene’s freedom of speech. WhIle the apology is accepted it would have been nice for DCA to apologize to the readers of Scene . We were the ones whom were missing our other journalistic choices. I am always frustrated when the terms of the agreement are to remain private. Did anyone lose their job at DCA for this?
Hope you folks nailed them to the cross! The douchebags deserved whatever they got!
Chuckles the Clown
I’m very disappointed in Zelman that the terms of the settlement are confidential. Why is it being kept confidential? Considering Marinucci’s outrageous conduct that led to the litigation, a confidential settlement is thumbing its nose at the First Amendment, is a disservice to the readers of Cleveland Scene, and clearly indicates that Marinucci crossed the end zone, did a little dance, and spiked the football.
It is the exact opposite of Sam Allard’s consistently strong reporting about the horrific arena deal. This is weak, weak, weak.
Joseph A. Marinucci seems to be a part of the tight-knit political cabal that bounces around juicy employment opportunities in the public sector….double-dipping is optional, but highly recommended.
Scene’s Freedom of Speech isn’t the right impeded here. It was freedom from unlawful search and seizure.
Chuckles, i see nothing funny about race relations in Cleveland, and I appreciate Scenes tireless efforts to show the disparity of race in all of their stories. I simply think that race could easily be interjected here, so we can get an understanding of the racial impact of these box thefts. Just as it is clear that there is racism afoot in limiting wifi access to poor neighborhoods, I think it is important to explore the availability of print media according to race as well. You may keep reporting me for not liking my positions, but they are what they are. In fact, i am wondering if there isn’t a racial issue in the way you are attacking me.